Project Fire Buddies Surpasses Backpack Donations Goal

OAK FOREST, IL — Remember Project Fire Buddies, the group of firefighters who befriend Oak Forest's most vulnerable children? This year, they promised 200 backpacks filled with supplies for all 10 city schools. Guess what? They surpassed that goal.

Founder Kurt DeGroot reported that donations were so generous this summer that the group was able to deliver this week 373 backpacks stuffed with the things kids need to start the year off right at school. Each year, he said, about 200 kids in Oak Forest go back to school without the supplies they need. Project Fire Buddies, he said, wants to change that.

This year's drive also hit a second goal: They collected 150 more backpacks than last year, he said.